Check out the latest posts from AGM Leaders

Help me, AlliedGPT

• Working on a proposal deck? Ask AGPT to help write compelling slides based on key points from an RFP.

• Give AGPT a campaign brief and ask it to write social post copy for different platforms in the client’s voice and tone.

• Summarize a long email chain or doc by pasting it into AGPT and asking for a quick digest or action items.

TL;DR

• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved Skydance's $8B purchase of CBS-owner Paramount, clearing the way for one of the most highly scrutinized media deals in the last decade. (NY Times)

• After multiple delays, OpenAI is now expected to release its next big model, GPT-5, in August. (The Verge)

• Imax reported its highest North American quarterly box office revenue ever of $143M, citing a record number of "Filmed for Imax" theatrical releases. (Media Play News)

• CBS' cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" is sparking debate among industry professionals, with many fearing the decision will lead to more censorship in the future. (Rolling Stone)

Agency updates

• 

  Our Partnerships team launched a summer campaign for PM Studios' "Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo" with Circle K, featuring a Rock, Paper, Prizes! sweepstakes across 9,000+ US and Canadian stores. The campaign is set to reach over 1M players with exclusive Steam code prizes and hero placement across mobile apps, digital channels, and in-store touchpoints.

• 

  Our Partnerships team launched two UK campaigns to celebrate the theatrical return of "The Smurfs". With LUMO, The Smurf Express transformed a London-to-Edinburgh train with full wraps, platform takeovers, live character appearances, and influencer content. In partnership with Popeyes, the team introduced a limited-edition Poppy Box featuring themed menu items, toys, and the new Smurfberry Shake & Whip—supported by in-store takeovers, co-branded content, and £100K in paid media.

Interesting campaigns / creative

• 

  Häagen-Dazs's "Devoured" OOH campaign is sparking cravings not with mouthwatering images, but with the aftermath—a bare wooden stick, traces of chocolate, and a hint of creamy center. (Creative Review)

• 

  Cheetos is riding the hype of Netflix’s "Wednesday" by featuring Thing as a spokescharacter, who escapes a Times Square LED billboard to chase “cheetle” across rival OOH ads from brands like Gatorade and Spotify. (Marketing Dive)

Audiences

• 40.6% of US adults have researched a product or company after encountering an ad for it in-store. (EMarketer)

• 

  20% of US adults say they have traveled or will travel less than planned this year due to the economy. (EMarketer)

• 

  72% of US teens have used an AI companion, with 30% citing entertainment as the main reason. (TechCrunch)

Platforms

• Snapchat announced a partnership with sports media company Togethxr to launch a new content accelerator program called "Snap the Gap". (Togethxr)

• Instagram is testing a new addition to its post analytics that would show how many likes each specific frame garnered within a carousel post. (Social Media Today)

• YouTube is bringing more generative AI features to Shorts by integrating its latest Veo image animation and conversion tools into the creation process. (YouTube)

Content

• "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" is projected to generate $131M in North American ticket sales this weekend, as "Superman" approaches $300M. (Media Play News)

• Netflix’s "Squid Game" dominated household TV streaming this week with 3.2B viewing minutes, followed by Peacock's "Love Island USA" with 1.8B viewing minutes. (Media Play News)

• E! Network's "E! News" has been canceled after 32 years on air. (Variety)

Tech & AI

• Proton has launched an AI assistant, Lumo, aimed at preserving user privacy that can summarize documents, generate code, write emails, and more. (The Verge)

• Google launched Web Guide, a new AI-powered search feature that "groups links in helpful ways". (The Verge)

• Google is testing a vibe-coding tool called Opal that lets you create mini web apps using text prompts. (TechCrunch)

Location-based entertainment

• Ticket demand for "Hamilton" has skyrocketed ahead of Leslie Odom Jr.’s return to the Broadway show. (NY Post)

• 13 Taylor Swift wax figures will debut at Madame Tussauds locations across four continents to celebrate the record-breaking success of The Eras Tour. (Attractions Magazine)

• The Pokémon Company unveiled its new PokéPark Kanto theme park in Tokyo, Japan, which it plans to open in early 2026. (Blooloop)

Travel & hospitality

• Despite initial customer backlash, Southwest Airlines reported strong baggage fee revenue since May, with no negative impact on web traffic or customer behavior. (Skift)

• American Airlines' CEO stated the airline will not use AI for airfare pricing in ways that erode consumer trust, amid industry debate and backlash. (Simple Flying)

• Electric vehicle charging stations have become the highest-converting feature for Hilton hotel bookings, leading to more reservations than traditional filters like pools, on-site dining, or free breakfast. (Skift)

• 44% of global consumers lack confidence in the travel industry’s ability to protect them from AI-powered fraud, including identity theft and account takeover fraud. (Jumio)

Gaming

• D&D web series "Critical Role" is set to start development on their first video game in partnership with AdHoc Studio. (Variety)

• Nintendo Switch 2 is now the fastest-selling console in US history, selling 1.6M units during its launch month. (gamesindustry.biz)

• "Forza Horizon 5" surpassed 3M copies sold, making Microsoft's racing game the top new PS5 game of 2025. (gamesindustry.biz)

• Roblox launched a new Learning Hub, enabling students to access dozens of interactive educational experiences on the platform in one place. (gamesindustry.biz)

Mental health

• Go touch some grass. This is actually a proven technique called "Earthing," and it does wonders to ground your body and mind.

• Can vagus nerve therapy regulate your mood and anxiety? Experts say yes.